Deciding on your next and best Xbox headset? Well, we’ve got a few suggestions for you, all at different price points. Sit back, and hopefully, we find your next one.
There’s an expansive amount of accessories for the Xbox X/S out there, but headsets are arguably some of the most important. Ensuring your Xbox X/S is paired with a high-spec gaming headset that produces rich and clear audio can give you the one up in your future gaming sessions.
The Xbox X/S consoles are compatible with a range of wired and wireless headsets, ranging in price, sound quality, and battery life. However, don’t worry, as we’ve tested every headset mentioned in this article, meaning that you won’t be left with a dud.
With numerous headset options available, each with different technologies, it can be overwhelming to make a decision. Check out this list to find which Xbox X/S headset you should pick up.
1. Steelseries Arctis Nova 7
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Dongle, Detachable 3.5mm wire (Headset jack/combination jack)
- Driver diameter: 40mm
- Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Weight: 325g
- Compatibility: PS5, PC, Wired
- Features: ClearCast Gen 2 noise-canceling microphone, SteelSeries Sonar Audio Software Suite with Pro-grade Parametric EQ, 360° Spatial Audio
- Price: $179.99
When shopping around for the best all-round gaming headset for Xbox, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better than the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7. Its attractive price point in addition to the lightweight and retractable design of the device makes it great for gaming with friends, or while getting immersed in a single-player romp through a game pass title.
With its excellent wireless functionality and a USB-C wireless dongle, you can plug the Arctis Nova 7’s in almost anywhere, making it excellent for all gaming scenarios. We reviewed them excellently, and that’s why they are our top recommendation for most users.
2. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, USB-A dongle (2.4Ghz wireless)
- Driver diameter: 50mm
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 22 kHz
- Weight: 454g
- Compatibility: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Playstation 5, Nintendo Switch
- Features: simultaneous Bluetooth mixing, gel-cooled earcups, 40 hour battery life, flip-up microphone.
- Price: $199.99
For slightly more cash than the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7, you could grab yourself a Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX. While it is slightly heavier and pricier, it has a secret trick up its sleeve. The dongle that the headset comes with manages to switch between consoles, meaning that you will ever only need one headset for two platforms or even more.
We really enjoyed tucking the headset’s microphone away, and the cool touch of the earcups. It’s worth the extra 20 bucks if you can afford it, especially since you can take it between pretty much any device under the sun without so much as a hiccup, as we detailed in our review.
3. Steelseries Arctis Nova 3
- Connectivity: Wired 3.5mm jack cable, USB-C
- Driver diameter: 44mm
- Frequency response: 20 to 22,000Hz
- Weight: 253g
- Compatibility: Anything with a 3.5mm Analog jack (I.e. Xbox, iPad), PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac
- Price: $99.99
Priced at just under $100, the wired Steelseries Arctis Nova 5 is an incredible choice for budget-conscious gamers looking for the best possible audio that does not cost the earth. Sporting the same design language as the higher-end Steelseries Arctis headsets, the Nova 5 is a fantastic option for those looking to get great audio without forking over too much cash.
In our review, we stated that the headset was for those who “are excited by the prospect of stunning sound quality without needing to save up or splash out too much cash”.
4. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
- Connectivity: 3.5mm Wired
- Frequency response: 10 Hz –28 kHz
- Weight: 275g
- Compatibility: Anything with a 3.5mm combo jack, or a headphone and mic jack
- Features: Flip-to-mute microphone, memory foam earcups, easy access volume controls,
- Price: $49.99
Halving the price once more, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 hired headset is an excellent option for those wanting to get a good gaming experience, without having to splash too much cash. With its no-frills design, combined with more than adequate quality, it’s difficult to go wrong with what HyperX has made at this price point, as the headset also sports noise-cancellation on its mic, ensuring that you are not getting any feedback from distractions around you.
Our review goes further to praise the headset, by saying “The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a great budget gaming headset, though it’s not going to win any awards for its audio or mic quality, it does the job, and it does it damn well.”
5. Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
- Connectivity: USB-C, 2.4ghz Wireless, Bluetooth 5.0
- Driver diameter: 40mm
- Frequency response: 10–22,000 Hz (Wireless), 10-40,000 Hz (Wired)
- Mic: Bidirectional Noise-Canceling
- Weight: 338g
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox (Xbox version only)
- Features: Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Hot-swappable battery
- Price: $349.99
The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is inescapable, regardless of what platform you use it on, it’s just the best gaming headset that money can buy. The hot-swappable batteries ensure that you can keep gaming while swapping them out, and the included DAC is a stroke of genius.
This is the headset that molded the rest of the Arctis Nova designs on this list, and for a good reason, it’s damn near flawless and even got a perfect score in our review of the headset itself.
6. Audeze Maxwell
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz dongle, 3.5mm jack
- Driver diameter: 90mm Planar Magnetic
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 50 kHz
- Weight: 490g
- Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Bluetooth (Xbox version also available)
- Features: 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers, detachable microphone, EQ customization, 80-hour battery life
- Price: $299.00
The Audeze Maxwell offers the best audio that any gaming headset can muster. This simple fact makes it an accessible option for those wanting the best audio around, without any cables, or buying pre-amps or mixers. While there are slight issues surrounding comfort, this is a near-unparalleled experience in the product segment.
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Equally, the design and overall construction are just as impressive. The Audexe Maxwell headset oozes quality with its all-metal construction and matte gunmetal appearance. While there are no adjustment levels on the yokes, the Audexe Maxell features a leather band and leather earpads for comfort.
What to consider before buying an Xbox headset
Ensuring your Xbox X/S is paired with the right pair of gaming headphones to suit your needs is important. If you find yourself spending hours playing the latest FPS with friends, or just like to immersive yourself in your favorite game’s audio, you’ll need an Xbox headset that not only provides high-clairty audio but is comfortable to wear for long periods at a time.
With that in mind, here are a few vital things to consider before you pick up a headset for your Xbox X/S.
Wired or wireless
Wired gaming headsets tend to be more affordable, being great options for those with a budget. Better yet, they don’t require charging so you don’t have to worry about the battery life and can focus on whatever you’re playing instead. However, with a wired connection, you are more limited in your movement and are at the mercy of the length of the wired connection any given headset provides.
Wireless headsets give you more freedom, allowing you to move around as you see fit without the pressure of snagging your wire on another valuable part of your gaming setup. Most wireless gaming headsets tend to connect over a 2.4GHz radio frequency which is more than suitable for gaming.
Overall, wireless Xbox X/S compatible headsets typically tend to be more expensive and involve varying amounts of charging to keep going. However, a lot of modern wireless headsets make use of fast-charing, to provide an optimum amount of hours of playback with a minimal charge, if you’re ever in need.
Comfort
With Xbox X/S headsets being placed on top of your head, comfort is key. Unlike gaming earbuds that can snuggly fit inside your ears, headsets place force upon the top of your noggin’, sometimes for hours at a time. A lot of headsets will have additional foam padding or cushioning on the headband, to avoid any possible discomfort.
Some Xbox headsets also offer uniquely designed ear cushions, to avoid any unwanted aches and pains or pressure on your ears. Or have levels of adjustment, as to fit any head shape and size. What kind of padding you prefer on an Xbox headset is up to you, with many brands offering a myriad of cushioning and fabric types to suit everyone’s needs.
Is the headset Xbox X/S compatible?
There’s no point in buying a high-quality gaming headset if you can’t even use it.
Not all gaming headsets are compatible with every console, or handheld you want to use them for. So ensuring the headset you want is compatible with the Xbox X/S consoles is a necessity. Most gaming headsets will state clearly on their specs or even their box art if they’re Xbox X/S compatible.
Audio quality
Arguably the most important factor when it comes to an Xbox headset is the audio quality. While having high-clarity audio is important in headphones for everyday use, for gaming on the Xbox X/S it’s of even higher importance.
With Xbox games, you’ll regularly need to know exactly where sound is originating from at any given time. Being able to pinpoint exactly where footsteps, bullets, and a myriad of sound effects are coming from is what can give you the one-up on your enemies, and help towards immersion.
A good Xbox headset will provide crisp audio, with some even giving you a selection of EQ presets and options to pick from to tailor the audio experience to your liking.
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